Hate gerrymandering? Here’s something to do about it — even if Prop. 50 passes | Opinion
Whether they are for or against Proposition 50, California voters agree that gerrymandering is evil and independent redistricting is good.
That’s what they’re saying, anyway.
Democrats who support Prop. 50 insist they do so reluctantly, to counter Texas and (hopefully) prevent President Donald Trump from hijacking the 2026 election and destroying whatever is left of democracy. In other words, gerrymandering is wrong, but in this case it’s for the greater good.
Republicans, on the other hand, chastise Democrats for hypocritically reverting to a corrupt system they had sworn off, while mostly ignoring the fact that Texas started it.
But seriously, almost every Californian is now convinced that independent redistricting is to gerrymandering what a stake in the heart is to a vampire.
That rare meeting of the minds is cause to celebrate.
It’s also cause for action.
Now that we’re all on the same page, there’s no reason not to mandate redistricting commissions at the county level — if nothing else, it will show our heart is still in the right place.
Require every county in California — with the possible exception of those with fewer than, say, 10,000 residents — to turn the job over to independent redistricting commissions. And make commissioners the ultimate deciders — not mere advisers whose decisions can be overturned by a board of supervisors.
Politicians reluctant to give up power
What we have now is a hodge-podge.
A small number of counties — including Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, Fresno, Kern, Merced and San Luis Obispo — now require independent commissions with the power to make binding decisions.
Another 25 or so counties have advisory commissions, and roughly the same number have no commission at all.
Why the lack of uniformity?
For one, it requires strong, grassroots efforts and a willingness to take on entrenched politicians to make the switch.
Sitting supervisors — who have been in charge of redistricting for eons — aren’t always amenable to ceding power.
In Merced County, for example, the Board of Supervisors opposed a state bill that would turn over the task of redrawing lines to a commission.
“Merced County has a spotless record when it comes to meeting redistricting requirements, and the current system — which includes substantial community outreach and involvement — has served our residents well,” the board wrote in a statement.
Fresno County supervisors had similar objections. In a 2022 letter to the state Legislature, they complained that a redistricting commission would “usurp local control and discretion of the County of Fresno’s elected representatives.”
Ditto for San Luis Obispo County.
“I just think that things run smoother when the busy voting citizens have less complication instead of more complication,” then-Supervisor Debbie Arnold said.
In all three counties, state lawmakers, acting on constituent requests, introduced legislation mandating independent commissions, which the governor signed.
Every county deserves fair redistricting, whatever the cost
Those are three small steps for democracy, but this should not be a piece-meal project. Fair, independent redistricting should be standard for every county.
That almost happened in 2019, when the Legislature passed a bill that would have required large counties to appoint redistricting commissions.
Regrettably, Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it, worried that it could be a financial burden on the state if counties were to demand reimbursement for their costs.
Ironic, given that the state is now on the hook for a special redistricting election estimated to cost between $200 million and $280 million.
But you can’t put a price on democracy, which is exactly why the bill mandating county redistricting commissions should be resurrected and signed by the governor.
It’s also why Congress should push for mandatory redistricting commissions for every state — including Texas — and no mid-cycle map redraws.
Because we’re all in agreement now.
Gerrymandering is wrong. Independent redistricting is right. Case closed.
This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Hate gerrymandering? Here’s something to do about it — even if Prop. 50 passes | Opinion."
